Overhead stapling machine



March 21, 1967 L. D. BOSTlCK 3,310,215

OVERHEAD STAPLING MA CHINE Filed Feb. 11, 1964 I NVE N TOR. 400/ .0.aaswcx United States Patent OVERHEAD STAPLING MACHINE Louis D. Bostick,16343 Ludlow, Granada Hills, Calif. 91344 Filed Feb. 11, 1964, Ser. No.343,981 13 Claims. (Cl. 227-111) This invention relates to staplingmachines and more particularly to an improved and unique type ofstapling mechanism for installing continuous lengths of wire againstceilings without need for scaffolding and by a single workman standingon the floor using one hand to support the machine and tension the wireand using the other to actuate the control for the stapler.

The present invention is particularly useful in installing resistanceheating wire to a ceiling but has many other uses of a related natureand enabling a single workman to fasten material to a remote surfacewithout need for scaffolding, ladders or other aids customarily requiredheretofore. For example in applying electric heating wire to a roomceiling it has been customary to first erect scaffolding beneath theentire ceiling at such a height that one workman can string wire againstthe ceiling as a second workman uses a hand-held stapler and advances italong the wire to staple it in place. Such practice made mandatory bypreviously available equipment is costly both as respects theinstallation and removal of the necessary scaffolding and as respectsthe actual installation of the wire itself.

By the present invention there is provided a simply constructedlightweight easily-operated tool the weight of which is primarilysupported in a harness worn by the workman leaving one hand free tocontrol the drag applied to the wire and the second to actuate thecontrol mechanism for the stapler. Featured is a roller at the advanceend of the tool having the dual function of bolding the wire captiveagainst the ceiling, centered beneath the stapling station, and aidingin maintaining the wire taut while being stapled. Featured also arepositioning indicators projecting from either side of the main frameadjacent the staple driving head and by which the operator can easilyand quickly position the driving head both while negotiating returnbends and while laying the neXt run at a uniform distance frompreviously installed runs.

Accordingly it is a primary object of the present invention to providean improved stapling mechanism particularly suitable for use in staplingwire and the like to an overhead ceiling in a more convenient andefficacious manner and without need for scaffolding, ladders or othersupports for the operator.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simple lightweightstapling machine adapted to be supported by a harness worn by theoperator and manipulatable to drive staples into a ceiling while theoperator remains standing on the room floor.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an overhead staplingmechanism having a remote actuator therfor and guide means projectingfrom its sides by which the operator can accurately judge the positionof the next staple to be driven.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an overhead staplingmechanism having a remote support and actuating control and utilizingwire guide means at its advance end useful in positioning andcontrolling the wire while being stapled in place.

These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading thefollowing specification and claims and upon considering in connectiontherewith the attached drawing to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawing in which a preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective showing a preferred ice embodiment ofthe invention stapler in use to install wire against a ceiling;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary enlarged view in side ele. vation of thestapling mechanism; and

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the brokenline 3--3 on FIGURE 2 and showing constructional details.

Referring to FIGURE 1 there is shown one illustrative embodiment of theinvention stapling machine designated generally 10. The machine includesany suitable conventional type staple driving mechanism 11 rigidlysecured to a main frame 12 having an elongated handle 13 arranged to besupported at its lower end by the operator utilizing a harness 14. Ashere shown harness 14 comprises a belt provided with suitable fasteningmeans, not shown, for securing it about the operators waist andincluding a fitting 15 providing a socket 16 telescopically seating theflattened lower end of tubular fitting 17. This fitting is adjustablysecured to the handle 13 as by a cotter pin 18. It will be understoodthat the lower end of the handle and of fitting 17 are provided with aseries of holes 19 for selectively seating the cotter pin 18 or otherlocking retainer means to lock the fitting assembled in differentadjusted positions. In lieu of the cotter pin it will be recog nizedthat fitting 17 can be provided with a spring leaf having one endanchored to the fitting and the other provided with a detent pinengageable in a selected pair of openings 19.

Referring to FIGURES 2 and 3 it will be understood that the stapledriving mechanism 11, as here shown is clamped between a pair of mainframe members 12a, 12b, FIGURE 2, formed of strong lightweight metal.These frame members include bosses 26 projecting toward one another fromthe inner faces of the frame members and seating in a cutout 27 formedin the stapling mechanism and commonly provided to receive the fingersof the operator when the mechanism is used by itself and gripped in thehand. Frame halves 12a, 1212 are held in assembled position as by capscrews 28 mating with threads in the remote ones of bosses 26. Ifdesired suit able resilient packing means may be interposed between theinner faces of the main frame members and the outer sides of thestapling mechanism.

Stapling mechanism 11 includes the usual staple storing magazine closelyadjacent an-elongated generally flat surface-d supporting shoe 30extending from end to end of the mechanism. This shoe has a stapledispensing opening 31 (FIGURE 3) at its foremost end through which thestaple is driven by powerful spring actuated driving mechanism of knowntype concealed within driving head 33. This spring is first cocked andthen released in well known manner by reciprocation of an operatinghandle 34 pivotally supported on a pin 35 extending crosswise of theforward end of the mechanism.

Operating handle 34, as here shown by way of example, may be cocked andreleased by an operating linkage comprising a flexible cable 36 attachedat its lower end to 'an operating handle 37 pivotally connected to thelower end of handle 13 by a pivot pin 38. The upper end of cable 36passes over a pulley 39 supported on a pivot pin 40 mounted in the sidewall of frame member 12b and having its upper end secured to handle 34by an eyelet 42. Cable 36 is held captive in grooved pulley 39 by a pairof guard bosses 43 integral with frame member 12b. The operatnig linkageand handle 34 of the staple machine is normally held in its retractedposition by a tension spring 45 connected between staple handle 34 andtool handle 13. This spring may be dispensed with by employing asufficiently strong handle retraction spring in machine 11.

An important feature of the stapling machine is the provision of wireguiding, tensioning and control means across the forward or advanced endof the machine. As herein shown this guide means comprises a deeplygrooved roller 50 supported on a pin 51 between the inner adjacent endsof bosses 52 carried at the forward end of main frame 12. As is bestshown in FIGURE 2, the rim edges of pulley 50 lie substantially flushwith the ceiling surface when machine shoe 30 is held against a wire 55pressed against ceiling 5s. It is therefore evident that pulley 50cooperates with the ceiling in holding the wire captive as the machineis advanced along the wire. It will also be observed from FIGURE 3 thatguide roller 50 is positioned to hold wire 55 centered between the legsof a staple being dispensed through opening 31 of driving head 33.

Another important feature of the invention stapling machine is theprovision of means along either side of the forward end of the machinedesigned to aid the operator in positioning the staples at return bendsof the wire as well as in maintain successive runs of the Wire paralleland suitably spaced from one another. In this connection it will beunderstood that in applying electrical heating wire to a ceiling to heatthe room by radiation building codes customarily provide for minimumspacing, as one and one-half inches, between adjacent runs of the wire.To this end machine is provided with a pair of tapering bosses 60, 6t)projecting from either side of main frame 12 directly opposite stapledispensing slot 31, the outer ends of these bosses terminating at thedesired minimum distance from the center line of the machine. A secondset of bosses, arrows or other suitable indicators 61, 61 (FIGURE 2)project from the opposite sides of the main frame at the prescribedminimum distance of say one and one-half inches rearward of stapledispensing slot 31. These position indicators are normally used onlywhen driving the second staple at a return bend as will be understoodfrom a description of the operation set forth below.

In the operation of the described machine, the operator straps harness14 about his waist and seats the lower end of fitting 17 in socket 16.If necessary the lower end of the handle is properly adjusted for mostconvenient use by a particular operator. In this connection it will benoted that the machine is usually held at a suitable forward inclinationto the vertical with the driving mechanism proper positioned forwardlyof the operator and in a comfortable line of sight. By this means thepressure of the machine against the ceiling is easily regulated by theoperator using his left hand to shift handle 13 either toward or awayfrom him.

The wire being installed is supplied from a spool 65 positioned on thefloor with the free end of the wire passing through the operators lefthand and over guide roller 50 and rearwardly over shoe and past stapledispensing slot 31. To drive a staple, the operator grasps actuatinghandle 37 in his right hand and pulls it toward him to tens-ion cable 36and thereby handle 34 of the stapling machine. As soon as one staple isdriven the operator moves forwardly while maintaining the desired dragtension on wire 55 and manipulates handle 37 to drive staples 66 astridethe wire at appropriate distances.

When the operator approaches the edge of the ceiling he drives a stapleand then rotates machine 10 through 90 degrees and advances it along thewire the desired spacing between runs of the wiring a distance readilydetermined by aligning position indicators 61 directly beneath the lastinstalled run of the wire. The operator then drives the second cornerstaple and again rotates the machine through another 90 degree arc andproceeds to lay the next parallel run of the wire. As he does so hemakes frequent checks to ascertain that the outer end of one of guidebosses 60 is generally opposite the last installed run thereby assuringthat the installed runs will be parallel and spaced a minimum distancefrom one another.

While this particular overhead stapling machine herein shown anddisclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects andproviding the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understoodthat it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention and that no limitations are intended to the details ofconstruction or design herein shown other than as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A stapling tool for use in installing wire against a ceiling by anoperator standing on the floor, said tool comprising magazine-fedoperator-controlled means for driving a staple upon each actuationthereof, rigid support means attached to said stable driving means andby which the operator can hold the latter means pressed against theceiling, means at the advance end of said staple driving means to aid inholding the loose end of the wire being installed taut and between thelegs of the staple next to be driven, and means including actuator meansnear the lower end of said rigid support means operable by the operatorto control the operation of sai staple driving means.

2. An overhead stapling tool for use in securing wire to a ceiling whilesupported thereagainst by an operator spaced substantially below saidceiling and without need for raising his arms above his head, saidstapling tool comprising a magazine-fed operator-controlled stapledriving means having rigid supporting means extending downwardlytherefrom and by which said staple driving means can be held against theceiling, harness means adapted to be worn by the operator to supportsaid tool from the lower end of said rigid supporting means, and remotecontrol means extending from said stapling means to a convenientoperating position near the lower end of said rigid supporting means andby which said stapling means can be activated to drive a staple.

3. A stapling tool as defined in claim 2 characterized in that saidharness means and the lower end of said rigid support include readilydisconnectable coupling means releasably supporting said stapling toolon said harness under normal operating conditions.

4. A stapling tool as defined in claim 2 characterized in that saidharness includes socket means for telescopically seating the lower endof said rigid support, and belt means adapted to embrace the body of theoperator While using said stapling tool.

5. A stapling tool as defined in claim 2 characterized in the provisionof deeply grooved wire guide means at the advance end of said staplingmeans and effective to hold the loose end of a wire aligned withinstalled portions of the wire while the tool is being advanced to thenext stapling station along the wire.

6. A stapling tool as defined in claim 5 characterized in that said wireguide means includes a roller supporting the wire as said tool isadvanced across the ceiling in the direction in which the wire is beinginstalled.

7. An accessory for use in stapling wire or the like in a desiredpattern on a ceiling and adapted to use a conventional type stapledriving mechanism, said accessory comprising frame means having a longrigid handle, harness means attachable to the lower end of said handleand adapted to be worn by an operator while using said accessory, pulleymeans supported on said frame including flexible power transmittingmeans passing over said pulley means, manually actuatable control meansmounted on the lower end of said handle and attached to said powertransmitting means, the remote end of said power transmitting meansbeing adapted for connection to a conventional staple driving mechanismto actuate the latter, and means for clamping a conventional stapledriving mechanism in said frame means in position to drive a stapleupwardly into a ceiling while supported thereagainst by an operator atthe lower end of said handle, and wire guide means at one end of saidframe means adapted for use in holding a wire taut against the ceilingWhile in the process of being stapled to the ceiling.

8. An accessory as defined in claim 7 characterized in the provision ofmeans at the advance end of said main frame and adapted to aid theoperator in holding the accessory a predetermined distance from wirepreviously installed before actuating said control means.

9. A stapling tool useful in installing wire and the like against aceiling by an operator standing on the floor without need forscaffolding, said tool having an elongated handle adapted to have itslower end supported by the operator, an inverted stapling mechanismsupported at the upper end of said handle with its base closely adjacentthe ceiling, power transmitting means connected to said mechanism andincluding control means positioned near the lower end of said handle ina convenient operating position for the operator, and wire guide meansat one end of said stapling mechanism through which the loose end of aWire under-going installation passes and useful in aiding the operatorto hold the wire taut and in position to be stapled against the ceilingwhile the stapling mechanism is operating to drive a staple into theceiling astride the taut wire.

10. A stapling tool as defined in claim 9 characterized in that saidhandle includes means for varying the effective length thereof toaccommodate the tool to use in rooms of different ceiling heights and tooperators of different heights.

11. A stapling tool as defined in claim 9 and wherein said stapledriving mechanism has a staple driving station near the advance end ofsaid tool and guide means along at least one side of said tool andpositioned a predetermined distance rearward from said staple drivingstation and useful to the workman in positioning said 6 tool to drivethe staples at the two corners of a return bend loop.

12. A stapling tool as defined in claim 9 characterized in the provisionof means projecting laterally from the opposite sides of said tool anduseful in aiding the workman in installing successive runs of Wire adesired distance apart and generally parallel to one another.

13. A stapling tool for use in installing Wire against a ceiling by anoperator supported appreciably below the ceiling, said tool having along tubular handle, a bifurcated frame secured to the upper end of saidhandle, an inverted stapling mechanism clamped within said hifurcatedframe, a grooved roller mounted on said frame closely adjacent thestaple driving end of said mechanism With its rim edges substantiallyfiush with the ceiling when said tool is held thereagainst andcooperating therewith to hold a wire captive, actuating means for saidstapling mechanism including operating linkage means movably carried bysaid handle and connected to operate said mechanism to drive a staple,and spring means for returning said linkage to its starting position inreadiness for use in a repeat staple-driving operation.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,945,377 1/1934Posnack 227132 X 2,437,039 3/1948 Peterson et al 227--132 X 2,754,5157/1956 King 227-132 X 3,122,749 3/1964 Abrams 22712O GRANVILLE Y.CUSTER, JR., Primary Examiner.

1. A STAPLING TOOL FOR USE IN INSTALLING WIRE AGAINST A CEILING BY ANOPERATOR STANDING ON THE FLOOR, SAID TOOL COMPRISING MAGAZINE-FEDOPERATOR-CONTROLLED MEANS FOR DRIVING A STAPLE UPON EACH ACTUATIONTHEREOF, RIGID SUPPORT MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID STABLE DRIVING MEANS ANDBY WHICH THE OPERATOR CAN HOLD THE LATTER MEANS PRESSED AGAINST THECEILING, MEANS AT THE ADVANCE END OF SAID STAPLE DRIVING MEANS TO AID INHOLDING THE LOOSE END OF THE WIRE BEING INSTALLED TAUT AND BETWEEN THELEGS OF THE STAPLE NEXT TO BE DRIVEN, AND MEANS INCLUDING ACTUATOR MEANSNEAR THE LOWER END OF SAID RIGID SUPPORT MEANS OPERABLE BY THE OPERATORTO CONTROL THE OPERATION OF SAID STAPLE DRIVING MEANS.